Insulator suspension hardware



April 16, 1935. M F Ht GOUVERNEUR 41,998,405

INSULATOR SUSPENSION HARDWARE Filed June lO, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 gwvento'a Mya/Myz/yean y zx April 16, 1935. M. F. H. GOUVERNEUR 1,998,406

INSULAIOR SUSPENSION HARDWARE Filed Jun lO, 19.52 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7; dual/M411 April 16, 1935. M. F. H. GoUvERNEUR l INSULATOR SUSPENSION HARDWARE Filed June lO, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 dbkocmq Patented Apr; 16, 1935 msULA'ron SUSPENSION l Minor F.I Hr Gouverneur, Baltimore, K

to LockeY Insulator Corporation, Md., a. corporation of'MaryIand' A swf-flore applicativa June-10,1932, cursory e 5 claims. (ci.` vrigs-'366)' The invention relatesto suspension means for suspending or connecting" insulators of the strain type, that is to. say the varietyv in'. WhichLthe' insti lator unit is yformed with interlinking 5k passages or transversely arrangedpassages hav-v eration` after` connection, thereby precluding ac'- ing at least one curved wall'.`

The principal objectv o1'` the? invention, generally stated, is to provide a suspension or connecte ing means embodying yoke-like or link-like ele-r ments; having means thereon for preventing sepcidentai detachment when in service..

An important object or the invention is to proV` vide suspension or connecting means wlfiiclrr may consist of counterpart members'though there is no' restriction in thisy respectk as the engaging members may be of quite different construction it being a feature' of. theY invention that the' va.- rious modifications and embodiments thereof have a common construction as: regards the" means for preventing, disconnection of theipartir after assembly has been effected; f n A further object of' the invention is to'y provide suspension or connecting means in the' na' ture of links orv yokes or a combination of botlm adapted to be used in association with tors of the' Hewlett typeA for connectingthem im a chain or string, for suspending a chain or stringor for connecting or for suspending units 'ot theguy strainv type, these and other possible" variations and adaptations coming within` the puri view of the invention. l

Yet another ob'ject is to provide suspension and' connecting means which may be assembled: Without the employment of any extraneous or auxiliary 'fastening devices and' in which, assembly is maintained by distortable elements forming any integral part offene.' vor both of the coeacting link or yoke members. e

It is astll further object to` provide brac means forming part of a1r suspension yoke and f operable to prevent distortion: of the sides'thcreof under strain. g o

yAn additional object isvto provide an arrangement and structure of this character which w-ilL be simple and inexpensive to make, easy to inf stall,zor assemble as the case may befpositi've in action, efficient and durable in service, anda general improvement in the art. v n

To the attainmentfof the foregoing and other objects' and advantages, the invention' preferably consists in the details of construction andthe' arrangement and combination' of parts'to` bel hereinafter more fully described andclaimed',and illustrated.4 in the accompanying drawings in which: u

Figure 1 is a view partly inl elevation andr part-i lyfin section illustrating a'form ofthe invention particularly adapted for use in connection with insulators'. of the guy straintype,J f

Figure Z is a iragmentary side" elevation of whatis shown in Figure 1, f

Figure 3 isa fragmentary detal-Viewk OI one side or one et the' arms, g e 1 Figure 411e' edg'eelevation thereof, Y fli'lf'igiire 5 is a' vertical; cross sectional view througna orf msulators or the Hewlett type crevice g snowing by' another form' of my saspensimandlm means,

e is a' sie; of s par or theA cui astma im' 't f f Y ,Y Y

' Figurer?y is ai datan viewl partly ixr'elevation' but monty-'nr section' illustratingtne same struc'- tiafevdsclosect me" 5,V l f NFIg-ureea sectionarviewon the line 8:-8 or Fvr, Y y

Figure 91H28 sidelclevation with parts brokenv in showing means adapted to oeconrxecte with the uppermost unit or a' string or Hewlettinsulatorsy for suspending thel same, Figure 1'0 isf a; cross viewf taken on line ilk-E0 of Figure' 9; f Figure Il ist detail cross sectionai? view taken tir-Ll mineure o.1 Rer'emng; more particularly te' chev ydrawings and especially '1' tc'- 43athe' numerati i designates an insulator or the guy strain typey which? lof conventional' design is' illustrated simply, dotandiidaslr linesinr'lgures 1 anda 2; 'It is welt known that' such insulators are termed with ttansverseopenirigs 2 arranged at rigiit'rangles'f extending: through the' end portion confronting' or adjacent surfacesy ro'f Asuoli! being: curved:V At their ends these lead tof'longit'udmally extending groovesli. e e

I 'Imck means: for:y suspending suela' aniv insulatork is here represented as comprising an elongated curvettv 11ans provided at its end portions with reduced'. 6- terminating inY 'lneaclsl 1 which project beyond the sides of the' necks toi lfe'taiiafilrlgy shmlldrs l. Ity is intended that the link 5 be of suchshape and theend por-f tional includingtl'w of Size` t0 be porticn `engage the member vil'.n Thek end portionsl ci! the arme 'ot this'l yoliel are "enlarged asl with! the portieri?A and formed wait openings n at the lower-` endslof whither@ seats I2 and extending longitudinally of which are tongues I3 which are integral with the body of the yoke but which are greatly reduced in thickness so as to be readily capable of bending. These tongues terminate considerably short of the seats I2, the distance between the ends of the tongues and the seats being slightly more than the height of the heads 'I on the link5 for a purpose to be explained. The outer side of the end portion of one arm of the yoke and the inner side of the end portion of the other arm is formed with a slot I4 communicating with the opening II and of a width slightly greater than that of the neck portion 6 of the link 5. The same outer side of one arm of the yoke and the same inner side ofthe other is formed with projections I5 extending above the seat I2 which constitute retaining means for the heads 1.

In assembling this structure, the link 5 is threaded throughthe lower opening 2 in the insulator I and is moved about or manipulated to bring it into the position shown in Figure 1. The yoke I0 being inserted through the ring yor other support 9 is then engaged with the link 5 by bringing the latter into such position that the arms thereof will be located at the left side of the arms of the yoke I0, viewing Figure 1, with the heads I located above the retaining projections !5. Initially the tongues I3 are in the dot and dash line positions shown in Figure 1 so as to be out of the way. The operator then moves the link 5 relatively to the yoke I0 so as to bring the heads I into the openings II, at which time the necks 6 on the link pass into the slots I4. After the shoulders 8 of the heads have cleared the projections I5 the link and yoke are moved relatively apart so that the shoulders 8 will engage upon the seats I2. By means of a screw driver or any other convenient implement, or even special pliers or the like, if necessary, the operator then bends the tongues I3 out of the dot and dash line positions into the positions shown by full lines in Figure l so that the free ends of the tongues will overlie the upper ends of the heads 1. Clearly these tongues then serve as stops to prevent the heads `I from being moved upwardly a suihcient extent to clear the projec tions I5 and it is therefore obvious that disconnection of the parts cannot occur as long as the tongues I3 are in this restraining position.

There is of course no limitation as to the number of insulators I which may be in a string and any desired number of units may be connected by means of the structure above described, it being a simple matter to interlink adjacent yokes or connect them by means of a ring or the like, such possibilities readily suggesting themselves to one skilled in the art.

The same general scheme may be employed for connecting a pair of insulator units I6 of the Hewlett type in which there are provided interlinking curved passages II. In adapting the invention to this use, I provide a pair of links I8 which may be counterparts and each of which is of curved link Yform having one end formed with a neck I9 and a laterally widened head 20 similar to the neck 6 and head I above described. The other end of each link is considerably enlarged and formed to resemble more or less a housing 2| formed at its outer side with an opening 22 and formed with a recess 23 opening out at its inner side. At the bottom of the recess 23 is a seat 24 and the end portion of the housing is formed with a slot 25 of a width slightly greater than that of the neck I 9 so as to receive the same with the head 20 located within the recess 23. The inner face of the end wall of each housing is formed with projections 26 at opposite sides of the slot 25 adapted to serve as retaining means for the head 20. Formed integrally with each link and located within the recess 23 therein is a. bendable tongue 21 which is initially in the position shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 7 and which is adapted to be bent by means of a tool inserted through the opening 22 so as to extend into the position shown by full lines in the same figure and in Figure 5.

To connect a pair of the units IG by means of my device, the two counterpart links I8 are threaded through the curved passages Il in the insulator units, after which the links are moved relatively to bring the heads 20 adjacent the inner faces of the housings 2I with the heads 20 located inwardly of the projections 26. The links are then moved laterally with respect to each other to pass the necks I9 into the slots 25 and to bring the heads 20 into the recesses 23, after which the links are moved relatively apart to bring the shoulders on the heads into engagement with the seats 24. When this is done the projections 2G overlie the inner faces of the heads. The operator then introduces a screw driver or other appropri ate tool through each of the openings 22 and bends each tongue 2'I so that it will cverlie the end of the adjacent head 20. Clearly the links cannot then be moved relatively to each other a suicient distance for the heads to pass over and disengage the retaining projections 26 so that accidental detachment of the parts will be prevented, it being necessary to bend the tongues back to their original positions before the links can be disengaged.

In the construction of the links such as those illustrated at I 8 it is frequently customary to provide the bight portion with a liner 28 of yieldable material, for instance lead or some soft alloy. the idea being that such material may flow and accommodate itself to inequalities in the engaging surface of the passage I1 and thereby avoid concentration of mechanical strains er pressure at any high spots which may exist in the curved surface. It will be clear that any desired number of Hewlett units I6 may be connected in a series, string or chain by means of these intcrengaging counterpart links.

In actual practice it has been found that in the event of a flash-over on a line there is a tendency for the are to hug the surfaces of the insulator units and to strike at the links where they are exposed between successive units. In some instances this results in burning away of the metal of the links to such an extent as to reduce their mechanical strength below that necessary for safety. To remedy this I have found it a convenient expedient to form the junctures of the housings with the links rather thick and to form the outer or free ends of the housing or enlarged portions 2l of the links with elongated projections 28a which, when the links are assembled, will overlie the relatively narrow portions thereof, the ends of the projections entering the ends of the curved passages I'I in the insulator units. When such projections are provided it is clear that they will serve to protect the links from being burned away as they themselves will receive the arc which they are well capable of withstanding on account of their relative thickness as compared with the cross sectional size of the links themselves. The increased thickness at the other ends of the housyso News

ing 'portions will. enablef them. to aipartial b .rgv- ,.f.

its major portion of substantially finvertedshape adapted to be suspended by a ring or other equivalen-tr support. llroni intermediate points the v arms of this yoke are preferably extended in parallel relation and are enlarged and formed somewhat in the nature of housings 30 corresponding to the housings illustrated at 2| in Figures 5 to 8,

these housings portions being formed with openings 3| extending clear through and which define seats 32 for the heads 20 on the ends of a curved link 2| adapted to be threaded through the lower passage in the uppermost kunit in a string. The outer face of one housing and the inner face of the other is formed with a slot 33 above and at opposite sides of which are projections 34 constituting retaining means for the heads. Projecting into the opening 3| in each housing member isa bendable tongue 35 initially in the dot and dash line position shown in Figure 9 and adapted to be bent into overlying or obstructing relation kto the adjacent head when the link 2| is associated and connected with the yoke 29 in the samey ytits 31 on the confronting faces of the link arms.

The links 5, I8 and 2| are intended to be forgings and capable of being bent so that they may be initially of such openness` or curvature as to permit threading through the passages. After insertion the openness may be reduced-that is to say the curvature may be made more abrupt, by somesuitable means or operation, so that the links may be properly connected. When subjected to the severe strains of service the links will conform their curvature to the requirements.

Regardless of the type of insulators supported or connected and regardless of the exact specific construction of the links or yokes employed it will be seen that in each and every form of the invention there is provided the bendable tongue which is normally out of obstructing relation to the heads on the yokes or links so that they may be readily engaged without it being necessary to use any tools and so after such engagement a mere simple bending of the tongues to overlie or obstruct the heads on the links or yokes separation of the parts is positively prevented. It will be observed that there are no complicated working elements to be handled and that the work of installation will consequently be greatly facilitated. It is believed that from the foregoing the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown vand described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exempliication of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details @e amamantar widen the aero: or unnty and; the adaptability of the` vice provided charges constitute no departure from the spirit olitlra invention or'the scope of the chimsharemituappended.

Healing;4 Ems described. theinvention, I- claim I l.. for an.' insulator having afpassathmxethrmxgh, a` pair oi` link-like aimed toextend through. said membersbeingiormed ontheirV respective laterally uverhanging: heads; and widened portions formed with openings extending entirely therethrough dening seats for the heads, said widened portions having slots at the seats and projections at opposite sides of the slot constituting retaining means for the heads, said link-like members being connectible with each other by relative lateral movement, and tongues projecting into the respective openings in normally non-obstructing relation to the heads and bendable to overlie the same for preventing separation of the links.

2. Suspension means for an insulator of the type having a passage therethrough, comprising coacting link members one of which is adapted to extend through the passage in the insulator, the respective ends of the link members being formed with constricted necks terminating in heads overhanging the side edges thereof and with enlarged portions formed with openings extending entirely therethrough defining seats, the yends of saidy enlarged portions having slots opening out to the corresponding sides and leading to the seats and adapted to receive said constricted necks when the link members are brought together by relative lateral movement, said enlarged portions further having projections at opposite sides of the slots and projecting beyond the seats to constitute retaining means for the heads to prevent withdrawal of the necks laterally through the slots, the outer and inner sides of the ends of the links being recessed to denne narrow tongues integral with the enlarged portions and bendable to extend in obstructing relation to the heads for preventing relative longitudinal movement of the links.

3. Means for supporting an insulator of the type having va passage therethrough, comprising a pair of curved links one of which is adapted to extend through said passage, said links having certain of their ends provided with heads projecting beyond the side edges and having their other ends formed with enlarged portions yhaving openings extending entirely therethrough and formed with seats for the heads and further formed with slots, the slots opening out at `the outer side of one enlarged portion and at the inner side of the other, said slots receiving the portions adjacent the heads of the confronting links, projections at opposite sides of the slots and rising from the seats cooperating with the heads for preventing relative lateral displacement of the links when the heads are engaged upon the seats, and means integral with said enlarged portions bendable to overlie and obstruct the heads in endwise abutting relation thereto for preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the links.

4. A two-part link member for insulator chains comprising a pair of members of substantially U-shape having arms, certain of said arms terminating in heads and the others having their end portions enlarged and each formed with a recess and with a slot in one side communicating with the recess, projections extending into the lrecess at the entrance end of the slot, said slot being adapted to allow the arm and head of the other member to pass therethrough to seat said head Within the recess whereby said projections will operate to prevent relative lateral displacement of the members, the outer and inner sides of each enlarged portion being reduced to deine an integral tongue projecting into the recess in normally non-obstructing relation to the head therein and bendable to overlie the head in endwise abutting relation thereto for preventing relative longitudinal movement of the members.

5. A two-part suspension means for insulator chains, comprising a. pair of links one of which is adapted to extend through a passage in an insulator, the other link including spaced arms formed on their confronting sides with projections, and a tubular strut engaged upon said projections and bridging the space between the arms for preventing relative movement thereof toward each other.

MINOR F. H; GOUVERN'EUR. 

